News

TV3 learns Apprentice probe findings

Watch-dog says TV3 can challenge or appeal findings

The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) has written to TV3 with a preliminary finding over the station's sponsorship deals for The Apprentice, the series presented by the businessman Bill Cullen.

The authority has been investigating whether the Irish version of the American and British hit show allowed product placement, in breach of advertising rules. The inquiry began after The Sunday Times revealed that businesses were being asked for money in return for allowing their products to be featured.

The BCI has now reviewed the whole series of The Apprentice. "We have issued a preliminary view to TV3 and are awaiting correspondence back from them," it said on Friday. "We will have a look at the response and see where to go from there."

Neither side would reveal the BCI's view but the watch-dog said that TV3 could challenge or appeal if the station disagreed with its findings - an indication that